September 2015 crude steel production

World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 131 million tonnes (Mt) in September 2015, a -3.7% decrease compared to September 2014.

In the first nine months of 2015, Asia produced 828.9 Mt of crude steel, a decrease of -2.0% over the first three quarters of 2014. The EU produced 127.5 Mt of crude steel during the first nine months of 2015, slightly down by -0.3% compared to the same period in 2014. North America’s crude steel production in the first nine months of 2015 was 85.1 Mt, a decrease of -6.8% compared to the first three quarters of 2014. The C.I.S. produced 75.9 Mt of crude steel in the first nine months of 2015, a decrease of -5.8% over the same months of 2014.

China’s crude steel production for September 2015 was 66.1 Mt, down by -3.0% compared to September 2014. Japan produced 8.6 Mt of crude steel in September 2015, a decrease of -7.3% compared to September 2014. India’s crude steel production was 7.3 Mt in September, down by -1.4% on the same month last year.

In the EU, Germany produced 3.4 Mt of crude steel in September 2015, a decrease of -3.9% compared to September 2014. Italy’s crude steel production was 2.1 Mt, down by -3.9% on September 2014. Spain produced 1.3 Mt of crude steel in September 2015, 8.5% more than September 2014. France’s production for September 2015 was 1.3 Mt, a decrease of -8.5% compared to the same month in 2014.

Turkey’s crude steel production for September 2015 was 2.5 Mt, down by -14.1% on September 2014.

In September 2015, Russia produced 5.5 Mt of crude steel, down by -3.2% over September 2014. Ukraine produced 2.1 Mt of crude steel, up by 14.1% compared to the same month in 2014.

The US produced 6.7 Mt of crude steel in September 2015, down by -8.5% compared to September 2014.

Brazil’s crude steel production for September 2015 was 2.5 Mt, a decrease of -13.0% on September 2014.

In the Middle East, Iran produced 1.3 Mt of crude steel in September 2015, down by -6.4% compared to the same month last year. The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio for the 66 countries in September 2015 was 69.3%. This is -4.0 percentage points lower than September 2014. Compared to August 2015, it is 1.3 percentage points higher.

# Ends #

Notes to Editors:

The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world. worldsteel members represent approximately 85% of the world's steel production, including 170 steel producers with 9 of the 10 largest steel companies, national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes.

The monthly crude steel capacity utilisation ratio is calculated based on crude steel production information available at worldsteel, publically-available capacity information and OECD capacity estimates.